Program Details
Whether you are an aspiring performer, a budding critic curious about how music shapes culture, or a talented musician who wants to share the joys of musicianship as a teacher, Carleton’s Bachelor of Music will prepare you to achieve your goals.
Carleton University’s Bachelor of Music program provides a solid grounding in the study and performance of a wide variety of musical instruments and traditions. Subjects of study include the practice, analysis and history of European classical music from the Middle Ages to the present; Canadian music; computer music; composition; ethnomusicology; jazz; popular music and gender studies.
Gain Valuable Experiences
Undertake individual performance instruction with highly qualified instructors in virtually any musical tradition. Choose between a range of musical styles including jazz, classical music, singer-songwriter, electronic and computer music, Celtic, world music and popular music, among others. Our ensembles include choir, chamber music, guitar, roots, jazz, jazz-rock fusion, music theatre, opera, West African drumming, the Carleton-Ottawa Symphony Orchestra chamber ensemble and more.
Extensive Resources
We offer a wealth of performance, research and study resources:
- Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, a world-class performance facility in downtown Ottawa
- Carleton-Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Ensemble-in-Residence
- computer music production studio
- Canadian musical scores: largest collection other than the Canadian Music Centre
- Artist-in-Residence program featuring national and international artists
- Jacob Siskind Music Resource Centre and Collection
- Jacques Emond jazz collection (3,000+ vinyl recordings) and the Trevor Tolley Collection (7,000+ jazz recordings)
Get started in Carleton360 to receive tailored information on our programs, student services and community.
Career Outcomes
Explore your passions, refine new skills and discover the career that’s right for you.
A degree in Music from Carleton provides a broad yet thorough education, giving graduates a competitive advantage in today’s job market. The BMus program can lead to various careers in music, as well as graduate studies in musicology, theory, composition or performance.
Sample Careers
Sample Courses
MUSI 1720 - Vocal Musicianship
A study of aural training and musicianship through group and individual singing of selected classical, popular, and world musics.
MUSI 3000 - Careers in Music
An introduction to building a career in music and music-adjacent disciplines. Topics include finances; issues in freelance work and private teaching; overview of recording arts; collaboration with other disciplines; and graduate school and other specialized study. Culminates in the creation of an individualized professional portfolio.
Visit the Undergraduate Calendar to view a comprehensive list of course offerings for this program and discover the exciting things Carleton students are learning in the classroom!
Three years ago, I came to Carleton as a classical trumpet player. Although classical trumpet remains a huge part of my life and musical studies, I have since: sang in the choir; learned and performed traditional drumming, singing, and dancing in both the West African Rhythm Ensemble at Carleton, and on a three-week study abroad trip to Ghana; and expanded my trumpet repertoire to include fusion, improvisation, pop, big band jazz, and highlife music. These accomplishments are representative of the dedication, enthusiasm, and resilience one must have as a growing musician; however, they would not have been possible without the support of the Carleton music community of faculty, students, alumni, and donors. The intimate nature of this program allows you the opportunity to work with skilled musicians and staff, while making personal connections that will last a lifetime. I could not be more grateful for the encouragement I have received to pursue new passions and career paths over these last three years. So whether you are looking at becoming a session musician, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a recording engineer, a festival organizer, or wherever this degree may take you, know that after completing the Carleton BMus program, you will have a community of faculty and friends you can turn to as you enter the next steps of your musical career.
